Glasgow licensees raised almost £3000 in one night for vulnerable people involved in street begging at the Best Bar None Glasgow awards last week.
Around 20 Best Bar None venues already support Street Change Glasgow by displaying a QR code on their premises which enables customers to scan it and donate to the fund which is co-ordinated by Simon Community Scotland.
Street Change Glasgow is part of the city council’s Begging Strategy. Frontline workers from Simon Community, Glasgow City Mission, The Marie Trust, Lodging House Mission and Waverley Care use utilise the fund to access essential items for people they support without delay – meaning they don’t need to beg.
The Best Bar None Awards saw awards go to Hillhead Bookclub , The Auctioneers, 26 Hope Street, with overall Gold awards presented to The Cathouse (Late Night venue), SWG3 and Glasgow University Union (Specialist Entertainment venue), Armstrongs (Community Pub); Bag O’Nails (Community Pub with Food); The Crystal Palace (Standard); Curlers Rest (Restaurant) and the National Piping Centre (Hotel). The overall winners will go on to compete in the BBN National awards.
Best Designated Premises Manager went to Margaret Simms of Neesons.
Bailie Margaret Morgan, Convenor Glasgow City Licensing Board, said: “It’s fantastic to see the return of the Best Bar None Glasgow Awards post pandemic. It was an exceptionally difficult time for the licenced trade, so it is especially important to recognise the vast array of high quality venues in the city and the good practice they employ to make the night-time economy safer and more sustainable. Their hard work helps attract visitors to the city to socialise and plays a major role in Glasgow’s global reputation as a safe and exciting entertainment destination with a fantastic social scene.
“Congratulations to all the venues who won awards on the night and also on the amount raised for Street Change Glasgow. The amazing support from Best Bar None Glasgow members will help vulnerable people involved in begging to improve their lives and ensure they do not have to beg.”